Sri K. B, Ambika T, Gorja D. R. Quantification of Dabigatran in Spiked Plasma, Bulk and Formulation Using 1 – Naphthol as Per ICH Guidelines by UV Visible Spectrophotometer. Biomed Pharmacol J 2026;19(1).
Manuscript received on :26-11-2024
Manuscript accepted on :03-11-2025
Published online on: 06-02-2026
Plagiarism Check: Yes
Reviewed by: Dr. Ramdas Bhat
Second Review by: Dr. Ummarah Kanwal
Final Approval by: Dr. Patorn Piromchai

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Khagga Bhavya Sri1*, Thandra Ambika1and Dhilli Rao Gorja2

1Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, RBVRR women’s college of pharmacy, Barkatpura, Hyderabad, India.

2Department of Chemistry, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana.

Corresponding Author E-mail: dhilli.rao@tau.edu.gy

Abstract

Develop a simple, rapid, precise method and validate the method according to the ICH (Q2R1) and M10 guidelines. Using the 1-Naphthol reagent, which produces a coloured complex, a straightforward and sensitive spectrophotometric technique has been devised and validated for quantifying dabigatran etexilate mesylate (DAB) in both bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms.DAB reacts with 1-naphthol in the presence of sodium nitrite and HCl with ammonium sulphamate, to form a green-colored complex which is a diazotization and azo coupling method. A sensitive UV-visible spectroscopy method determination of dabigatran in human plasma was developed and validated. 1ml aliquot was developed by protein precipitation with acetonitrile and validated. Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration range of 8-62 µg/mL for dabigatranwith 1-Naphthol respectively with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.120µg/mL and 0.366 µg/mL for dabigatran. The recovery of accuracy was found to be 100.26%. Drug was quantified and was found to be 100.62%. The estimated calibration range of the method with plasma was 5–100 µg/ml. stability studies are performed and results are within limits. The recovery studies of accuracy and precision were studied.The superiority of this spectrophotometric technique has been demonstrated due to its low solvent concentration, lack of extraction stages, specificity, and sensitivity. A UV-visible technique that is sensitive, easy to use, and affordable was created and verified for the measurement of DAB in human plasma and pharmaceutical dosage form.

Keywords

Dabigatran Etexilate Mesylate (DAB); 1-Naphthol; Plasma; Stability studies; UV-visible spectrophotometer

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Sri K. B, Ambika T, Gorja D. R. Quantification of Dabigatran in Spiked Plasma, Bulk and Formulation Using 1 – Naphthol as Per ICH Guidelines by UV Visible Spectrophotometer. Biomed Pharmacol J 2026;19(1).

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Sri K. B, Ambika T, Gorja D. R. Quantification of Dabigatran in Spiked Plasma, Bulk and Formulation Using 1 – Naphthol as Per ICH Guidelines by UV Visible Spectrophotometer. Biomed Pharmacol J 2026;19(1). Available from: https://bit.ly/4qerP6J

Introduction

Chemically, dabigatran etexilate mesylate (DAB) is trimethylomethyl 3-(1-{2-[({4-[amino({[(hexyloxy)carbonyl]imino}) methyl]phenyl}amino)methyl]One methyl-1H-1,3-benzodiazol-5-yl}-N-(pyridin-2-yl)formamido)propanoate. A blood clotprevention and treatment medication is dabigatran etexilate mesylate. To stop the thrombin-mediated activation of coagulation factors, dabigatran binds reversibly to the active site on the thrombin molecule. When fibrin is attached, it can even render thrombin inactive, which could potentially increase fibrinolysis and lessen thrombin-mediated inhibition of it. Put differently, it disrupts the clotting mechanism, hence decreasing the formation of blood clots.

It is a prodrug that hydrolyzes in the liver and plasma under the action of esterase to become its active form. DAB inhibits thrombin directly and reversibly in a competitive manner.1

Figure 1: Structure of DAB

Click here to view Figure

The term “chromogen” describes colorless (or weakly colored) chemical substances that can undergo a chemical reaction to transform into “colored” chemicals known as chromophores. Chromogenic assays produce a colored reaction product that absorbs light in the visible range. Chromophore refers to the part of a molecule that is responsible for its color. Chromophores are usually composed of a series of conjugated double bonds that absorb certain wavelengths of light, resulting in the color that we see2

Based on an extensive literature review, various methods have been reported for the quantification of dabigatran, including spectrophotometric, spectrofluorimetric, and numerous reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography techniques. Spectrophotometric methods developed so far utilize solvents such as hydrochloric acid, methanol, and acetonitrile. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no reported spectrophotometric method that employs 1-naphthol. Compared to chromatographic techniques, spectrophotometric methods offer significant advantages: they are simpler, faster, require minimal sample preparation, and are cost-effective. Moreover, spectrophotometric methods are more responsive and selective due to their reliance on specific chemical reactions between the analyte and a reagent, resulting in the formation of a colored chromogen.

A thorough review of the literature found that few analytical techniques are available for determining DAB using UV spectroscopy.3-11 

Mechanism of reaction

When an amine group in DAB reacts with Sodium Nitrite in the presence of Hydrochloric acid, it undergoes diazotization to form a diazonium salt. This reaction occurs under acidic conditions and is typically performed at low temperatures to ensure the stability of the diazonium salt.

When 1-Naphthol is added to the reaction, it reacts with the diazonium salt in an azo coupling reaction. This results in the formation of an azo compound, which is a brightly colored compound containing an -N=N- functional group.

When amine reacts with sodium nitrite in the presence of HCl, it produces diazonium salt and ammonium sulphamate reacts with excess nitrous acid to neutralize. Further, this Diazonium salt reacts with 1-naphthol which produces azo dyes (green colored chromogen).

Unstable Salt of diazonium

 Figure 2: Mechanism of action of DAB with 1-Napthol

Click here to view Figure

Materials and Methods

Chemicals and Materials

DAB (API) was gifted a sample by laural pharma and commercial hard gelatin capsule dosage form Dabigat-75mg was acquired from local pharmacies.All chemicals and reagents used were of analytical grade and were freshly prepared in distilled water.Preparation of 2M HCl:Pipette 4ml of concentrated HCl (37%) into a 25ml volumetric flask, then add distilled water to fill the container up to the brim.Preparation of Sodium Nitrite (0.025%):preparation involved weighing 0.025g of sodium nitrite and transferring it to a 100 volumetric flask and made up to 100ml with distilled water after being dissolved in a little amount of it (around 10 mL).Preparation of Ammonium Sulphamate (0.5%): preparation involved weighing and dissolving 0.5g of ammonium sulphamate in a small amount of distilled water. Use distilled water to further make up to 100ml.Preparation of 1-Napthol (0.250%):250 mg of the reagent was weighed, diluted in a small amount of ethanol, and then added to a 100 ml volumetric flask.

Instrumentation: Double–beam ELICO SL 210 UV–Visible Spectrophotometer, Weighing balance, Sonicator. 

Preparation of standard solution

Standard solution preparation involved weighing 10 mg of pure DAB medication and transferring it to a 10 ml volumetric flask. Dissolved in 10 ml of volumetric flask containing ethanol until 3/4 of the mark was reached, then sonicated. The final mixture was adjusted to yield 1000µg/ml of reference stock solution. 1 ml of the standard stock solution was pipetted into a 10ml volumetric flask, and 100µg/ml of the working standard was obtained by adding ethanol to the mark.

Experimental methodology

We performed four trials on DAB with 1-naphthol and other reagents. The optimized method trial was performed with 16µg/ml. Pipetted 1.6ml of working standard solution into 10ml volumetric flaskbefore adding 2M HCl (1ml) and 0.025% sodium nitrite (1ml)and left for 3mins. Then 0.5%ammonium sulphamate(1ml) was added and leftfor 2mins. After that, 0.25% 1-naphthol (1 ml) was added anda 10 ml volumetric flask was filled to the appropriate level with ethanol. The resultant solution was scanned in the 400–800 nm range using UV–visible spectroscopy. It has been found that the optimal wavelength, which corresponds to room-temperature green chromogen, was 449 nm. The optimised wavelength is shown in fig:3.

Validation parameters: The written proof that guarantees a desired outcome with predefined compliance is the validation procedure. 12-26

Linearity

Preparation of 8 – 62 µg /ml serial dilution

A series of 10ml volumetric flasks were filled with aliquots of the standard drug solution of DAB in the following sizes: 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, 4.0, 4.8, 5.6, and 6.2 ml. We added 1 ml of 2MHCl, 1 ml of 0.5% ammonium sulphamate, 1 ml of 0.02% sodium nitrite, and 1 ml of 0.25% 1-naphthol. Ethanol makes up the difference in the solution. The equivalent reagent blank was used to compare the green chromogen of dab absorbance at 449 nm. The calibration curve’s linearity (absorbance vs. concentration) for dab was examined in pure solution using concentration ranges of 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, and 62 µg/ml. Table 1 and 2 provides a summary of the analytical results from the calibration curves in fig 4, including standard deviations for the slope, intercept, and system suitability parameters. This data illustrates the calibration graphs’ linearity.

Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantification

These were independently calculated using the 3.3 σ/s and 10 σ/s formulas, respectively, based on a standard calibration curve, where s represents the calibration curve’s slope and σ denotes the regression equation’s y-intercept standard deviation. It was discovered that the LOD and LOQ were 0.1208µg/ml and 0.366µg/ml summarized in table 3.

Accuracy

Recovery of DAB was calculated to assess the method’s accuracy. The DAB results’ satisfactory recovery percentages show how accurate the procedure is. Table 4 summarises the recovery studies of accuracy.

Precision

The absorbance of six replicates of standard dabigatran solutions at a wavelength of 449 nm was measured using a standard solution of 32 µg/ml. The precise values are shown in table5 along with the proportion for the standard deviation relative (RSD) that was determined.

Robustness

Absorbance at a fixed wavelength of ±1 nm is used to measure robustness. At 448, 449, and 450 nm, the absorbance of the 32 µg/ml standard dabigatran solution has been recorded at least six times. %RSD was calculated, and robustness data was noted in Table6.

Ruggedness

The reproducibility of test results is assessed by analysing the same samples in various settings with different analysts is known as ruggedness. Several analysts measured the absorbance of the standard dabigatran solution at 449 nm to arrive at this conclusion. The percentage RSD was computed and table 7 summarises ruggedness data.

Assay

The proposed approach was used using DAB capsules that are sold commercially (Dabigat 75mg). After being weighed, ten capsules were finely ground into a powder.

In a 100 ml volumetric flask, 10 mg of DAB equivalent was weighed and dissolved with a few ml of ethanol. After 15 minutes of sonication, add ethanol to make up the difference. The solution obtained was determined to be 100µg/ml.

1.6 ml of the sample working solution was pipetted out, and the normal operating procedure was adhered to.The green chromogen’s absorbance was measured at a chosen wavelength in comparison to the matching reagent blank. The drug content was then examined, and the findings were computed.

Extraction of plasma with protein precipitation:

One method for concentrating and purifying proteins from different impurities is protein precipitation. By introducing a reagent, the procedure modifies the solvent’s solvation potential, reducing the solute’s solubility. The protein molecules consequently clump together and dissociate from the solvent.

1ml of plasma was pipetted out into a test tube and 1 ml of 10ppm drug was added to the above plasma sample. Then 2 ml of acetone was transferred to the test tube. The solution was vortexed for 1min. After vortexed the contents were transferred into a centrifugation tube at 14,000rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant layer was collected into a 10-ml vol flask. The reagents and chemicals were added as 1ml HCl, 1ml sodium nitrite, 1ml ammonium sulphamate, and 1ml 1-naphthol and the remaining vol was made with water. The resultant solution was scanned in the 200–800 nm range using UV–visible spectroscopy against blank water. It has been found that the optimal wavelength, which corresponds to room temperature was 449 nm.27-39

Validation Parameters

Selectivity

The ability of a method of analysis to identify and measure an analyte while additional chemicals are present of any material that disrupts the biological matrix is known as selectivity.40

Specificity:

Specificity is the capacity of a bioanalytical method to differentiate and identify the manufactured from different materials, including its related compounds. Chemically similar substances, metabolites, isomers, contaminants, breakdown products produced during sample preparation, or concurrent drugs that are expected to be utilized in the treatment of patients with the intended indication are a few examples of specificity.
The effects of relevant chemicals should be assessed in the Predose research samples or during process validation if their presence in the biological matrix of interest is expected.

Matrix effect

A change in the analyte reaction caused by intervening and sometimes undetectable components in the sample matrix is known as a matrix effect. To evaluate the matrix effect, at least 3 copies of low and high QCs, each created using a matrix from at least 6 different sources or lots, should be examined.

Preparation of Low QC (5ppm) andHigh QC (40ppm)

0.5 ml of plasma was pipetted to the 0.5 ml and 4.0 ml of standard drug solution that had been pipetted into a 10 ml volumetric flask. 1 ml of 2M HCL and 1 ml of sodium nitrite (0.025%) were added to a 10ml volumetric flask containing the supernatant layer. 1ml of ammonium sulfamate (0.5%) was added after two minutes, and three minutes later, 1ml of 1-naphthol was added. Water was added to make up the difference in the remaining solution. Using UV-visible spectroscopy, the resulting solution of green-colored chromogen was scanned against blank water at 449nm. Results are illustrated in table 11.

Linearity:

The calibration curve illustrates the relationship between an analyte’s real concentration and the testing platform’s reaction to it.

Procedure for establishing of calibration curve

A series of 10 ml volumetric flasks were filled with aliquots of the standard drug solution of DAB in the following sizes: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 ml. Each 10ml vol flask received a spike of 0.5ml plasma. They added 1 ml of 2MHCl, 1 ml of 0.5% ammonium sulfamate, 1 ml of 0.02% sodium nitrite, and 1 ml of 0.25% 1-naphthol. Ethanol makes up the difference in the solution. The equivalent reagent blank was used to compare the green chromogen of dab absorbance at 449 nm. The calibration curve’s linearity (absorbance vs. concentration) for dab was examined in pure solution using concentration ranges of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 µg/ml in table 8 and fig.5. The mean ± standard deviation for the slope, intercept, and correlation coefficient was determined for each of the six standard curves.

Accuracy and Precision

Accuracy and precision should be assessed using identical runs and data. Not include the LLOQ, when at each concentration level, accuracy should fall within ±15% and the nominal concentration within ±20%. A concentration’s accuracy (%CV) at any given level cannot go above 15%. except for the LLOQ, when it should not be greater than 20%. Three-thirds of all QCs and at least 50% of each concentration level must fall within ±15% of the nominal values for both precision and non-accuracy validation runs. Results are summarized in table9 and 10.

Stability studies

Stability studies must be conducted to make sure that choices regarding sample preparation, production, analysis, and storage conditions do not affect the analyte concentration. The material’s endurance in the matrix is evaluated using QCs at both low and high concentrations.

Freeze-thaw, benchtop, and long-term stability studies are studied and results are summarized in table 12.

Preparation of low QC (5µg/ml) and High QC (40µg/ml) sample

A 10 ml vol flask that had been previously spiked with plasma was filled with 0.5 ml and 4.0 ml of the standard drug sol (100µg/ml). The remaining volume was filled with water to reach the mark. For a longer period, the three low-concentration replicas were created and kept in a freezer at -20°C. A UV scan of the solution at 449 nm was performed after a specific amount of time to document any changes.

Reinjection reproducibility

Following storage, a run that includes a minimum of five replicas of all medium, low, and high QCs as well as calibration standards is reinjected to evaluate injection repeatability. The viability of the treated samples is determined by the reinjected QCs’ accuracy as well as precision and reults are determined in table 13. 

Results

Method validation:The method was validated according to the ICH guidelines.

Linearity

 Table 1: System suitability parameters

Parameters DAB
Absorption wavelength (nm) 449
Beers law range (µg/ml) 8-62
Limit of Detection (µg/ml) 0.1208
Limit of Quantification (µg/ml) 0.366
Correlation coefficient (r2) 0.9997
Slope (m) 0.0243
Intercept (c) 0.0098
Regression equation (y) Y= 0.0243x+0.0098

Table 2: Concentration Vs Absorbance of Standard Drug

Concentration Absorbance
8 0.1937
16 0.3998
24 0.5987
32 0.7954
40 0.9871
48 1.1845
56 1.3781
62 1.5038

Limit of Detection and Limit of Quantification

 Table 3: LOD and LOQ of 5ppm DAB

Limit of Detection 0.1208µg/ml
Limit of Quantification 0.366µg/ml

Accuracy: *Three replicas of each concentration

Table 4: Recovery Study of DAB formulation (Dabigat 75mg)

% Level Sample amount(µg/ml) Standard amount (µg/ml) Mean Absorbance Recovery Absorbance % Recovery Mean Recovery
50% 16µg/ml 8 µg/ml 0.5851 0.1903 98.24% 100.26%
100% 16µg/ml 16 µg/ml 0.7375 0.3427 100.72%
150% 16 µg/ml 24 µg/ml 1.0045 0.6097 101.83%

Precision

Table 5: Precision Method concerning Intra and inter-day

Concentration Intra-day(Morning) Intra-day(Evening) Inter-day(Day-1) Inter-day(Day-2) Precision
32 µg/ml 0.7536 0.7532 0.7535 0.7540 0.7994
32 µg/ml 0.7539 0.7536 0.7531 0.7541 0.7991
32 µg/ml 0.7534 0.7539 0.7533 0.7542 0.7994
32 µg/ml 0.7533 0.7531 0.7536 0.7539 0.7991
32 µg/ml 0.7531 0.7534 0.7538 0.7543 0.7993
32 µg/ml 0.7535 0.7533 0.7532 0.7542 0.7994
Average 0.7534 0.7534 0.7534 0.7541 0.799283
SD 0.00028 0.00029 0.00026 0.00014 0.000147
%RSD 0.03 0.038 0.03 0.018 0.018416

Robustness

Table 6: Robustness studies at 1nm

S. No Concentration 448nm 449nm 450nm
1. 32 µg/ml 0.7858 0.7994 0.8156
2. 32 µg/ml 0.7859 0.7998 0.8162
3. 32 µg/ml 0.7861 0.7996 0.8169
4. 32 µg/ml 0.7565 0.7995 0.8165
5. 32 µg/ml 0.7869 0.7996 0.8168
6. 32 µg/ml 0.7861 0.7997 0.8167
Average 0.7862 0.7996 0.8165
SD 0.00041 0.0001 0.00048
%RSD 0.052 0.017 0.058

 Ruggedness

Table 7: Ruggedness studies with different analysts and instruments were studied

S. No concentration Analyst-1 Analyst-2 UV-1 UV-2
1. 32 µg/ml 0.7982 0.7963 0.7970 0.7974
2. 32 µg/ml 0.7985 0.7942 0.7969 0.7975
3. 32 µg/ml 0.7981 0.7956 0.7967 0.7976
4. 32 µg/ml 0.7984 0.7948 0.7965 0.7973
5. 32 µg/ml 0.7986 0.7960 0.7971 0.7978
6. 32 µg/ml 0.7981 0.7951 0.7968 0.7979
Average 0.7983 0.7953 0.7968 0.7975
SD 0.00021 0.000784 0.000219 0.000310
%RSD 0.026 0.098 0.0274 0.0310

Assay: The percentage assay was found to be 100.62%

Total weight of 10 capsules = 6.1658g

Average weight of capsules = 0.6165g

10mg equivalent was weighed for assay as follow:

75mg    →     0.6165g

10mg    →    ?

= 10*0.6165/75

= 0.0822g

y = mx + c

x = y-c/m

y = 0.4060         m = 0.0245    c = 0.0098

= 0.4060-0.0098/0.0245

= 0.3962/0.0245

= 16.1 µg/ml

16µg/ml  →  100%

16.1µg/ml  →   ?

= 16.1*100/16

= 100.62%

*The percentage assay was found to be within limits i.e, 98-102%

Quantification of DAB in spiked plasma and validation

Linearity

Table 8: Calibration range of DAB with ethanol in spiked plasma

S. No Concentration Absorbance
1. 5 0.1347
2. 10 0.2916
3. 15 0.4391
4. 20 0.6093
5. 25 0.7697
6. 30 0.9206
7. 35 1.0843
8. 40 1.2125
9. 45 1.4226

Precision

Table 9: Between-run precision data of dabigatran for the day – 1 &2

B/W the run (Day-1) 5ppm (LLQC) 15ppm (LQC) 30ppm (MQC) 45ppm (HQC)
  0.5809 0.9514 1.5348 1.4226
  0.5425 0.9521 1.5317 1.4351
  0.5401 0.9401 1.7336 1.4215
Average 0.141166667 0.347866667 0.733366667 1.4264
SD 0.00122202 0.016735231 0.001563117 0.007554469
%RSD 12.865657746 11.936152958 11.213142568 12.52961784
B/W the run (Day-2) 5ppm (LLQC) 15ppm (LQC) 30ppm (MQC) 45ppm (HQC)
  0.1453 0.3641 0.7421 1.5281
  0.1445 0.3635 0.7426 1.5091
  0.1439 0.3659 0.7428 1.5164
Average 0.144566667 0.3645 0.7425 1.517866667
SD 0.010702377 0.0101249 0.010360555 0.01095836
%RSD 13.485849839 11.34266107 11.048559613 11.631447832

 Accuracy

Table 10: Within-run precision data of dabigatran for each run

within the run 5ppm (LLQC) 15ppm (LQC) 30ppm (MQC) 45ppm (HQC)
  0.1429 0.3514 0.7368 1.1159
  0.1425 0.3598 0.7397 1.1067
  0.1421 0.3541 0.7308 1.0681
  0.1448 0.3562 0.7361 1.0982
  0.1437 0.3572 0.7379 1.0734
  0.1457 0.3527 0.7374 1.0956
Average 0.14361667 0.355233333 0.73645 1.092983333
SD 0.0014006 0.003100108 0.003024401 0.018708652
%RSD 12.9752316 11.872696122 10.410672926 12.711705167

 Matrix effect

Table  11: Matrix effect of dabigatran with low and high QC samples

LQC Matrix-1 Matrix-2 Matrix-3
5ppm 0.1496 0.1509 0.1295
5ppm 0.1459 0.1549 0.1263
5ppm 0.1489 0.1526 0.1284
Mean 0.1481 0.1528 0.128066667
SD 0.001965 0.002007486 0.001625833
%RSD 10.3268 13.313799732 12.269520916
HQC Matrix-1 Matrix-2 Matrix-3
45ppm 1.2046 1.2284 1.1985
45ppm 1.2094 1.2293 1.1992
45ppm 1.2051 1.2308 1.2057
Mean 1.2063 1.2295 1.201133333
SD 0.00263 0.001212 0.003970306
%RSD 12.21874 11.098612 10.330546688

Bench top stability studies

Table 12: Stability study of dabigatran LQC (5ppm) and HQC (45ppm)

0 hours low QC 2hours 4hours 6hours 8hours
88.23% 89.24% 92.74% 94.61% 96.34%
88.94% 90.12% 92.84% 94.76% 96.71%
89.23% 90.85% 92.54% 95.02% 97.24%
Mean: 88.80% 90.07% 92.71% 94.80% 96.76%
Standard deviation: 0.005145 0.008062 0.001528 0.002074 0.004524
0 hours high QC 2hours 4hours 6hours 8hours
90.42% 92.84% 93.84% 94.81% 98.34%
91.24% 93.04% 94.28% 95.21% 98.42%
91.67% 93.62% 94.51% 95.63% 99.17%
Mean: 91.11% 93.17% 94.21% 95.22% 98.64%
Standard deviation: 0.006351 0.004051 0.003404 0.0041 0.004579

 Reinjection reproducibility

Table 13: Reinjection reproducibility data

                 Reinjection reproducibility
Low QC (5ppm) High QC (45ppm)
0.1359 1.2828
0.1355 1.2638
0.1361 1.2525
0.1348 1.2527
0.1357 1.2906
Average: 0.1356 1.26848
Standard deviation: 0.0105 0.017469
%RSD: 12.368732 10.37714
Figure 3: Standard λ max Spectrumof DAB at 16ppm.   

Click here to view Figure

Figure.4: Calibration Curve of DAB With 1-Napthol

Click here to view Figure

Figure 5: Calibration curve of DAB in spiked with plasma

Click here to view Figure

Discussion

Dabigatran has previously been quantified using UV spectroscopy with NQS and MBTH reagents. The MBTH method relies on an oxidative coupling reaction, while NQS is used for determining primary and secondary amines via a derivatization process. These methods were validated across specific concentration ranges: 1–10 µg/mL for NQS and 1–6 µg/mL for MBTH, with both achieving correlation coefficients of 0.999, indicating strong linearity. The percentage assay of dabigatran was calculated as 101% with NQS and 100.9% with MBTH.

For NQS, the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were determined as 0.048 µg/mL and 0.147 µg/mL, respectively. For MBTH, the LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.0578 µg/mL and 0.298 µg/mL. Dabigatran obeyed Beer’s law in the concentration range of 8–62 µg/mL when analyzed with 1-naphthol, achieving a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The LOD and LOQ for dabigatran with 1-naphthol were calculated as 0.120 µg/mL and 0.366 µg/mL, respectively. Recovery studies demonstrated an accuracy rate of 100.0%.

Plasma was extracted by protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The calibration range for dabigatran in plasma was established as 5–100 µg/mL. Stability studies confirmed that results remained within acceptable limits. Furthermore, recovery studies for accuracy and precision yielded consistent and reliable results.The validation parameters for the method were performed as per ICH Q2R1 and M10 guidelines, and results were found to be within limits.

Conclusion

The proposed spectrophotometric approach for quantifying DAB in pharmaceutical dosage forms has proven to be simple, sensitive, accurate, and precise. The assay results demonstrated a strong agreement with the label claims, affirming the method’s reliability. The spectrophotometric technique stands out due to its minimal solvent use, elimination of extraction steps, high specificity, and exceptional sensitivity. These attributes make it particularly advantageous for routine application in quality control of DAB in pharmaceutical formulations.

Additionally, a UV-visible method was developed and validated for the quantification of DAB in human plasma. This method is cost-effective, user-friendly, and meets all regulatory requirements for selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and stability. The successful validation underscores its potential for consistent use in quality control laboratories, ensuring accurate and reliable analysis of DAB across various applications.

Acknowledgement

I need to recognize our cherished Principal and the staff of the Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis for giving me the chance.

Funding Sources

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors do not have any conflicts of interest.

Data availability

This statement does not apply to this article.

Ethics Statement

This research did not involve human participants, animal subjects, or any material that requires ethical approval.

Informed consent statement

This study did not involve human participants, and therefore, informed consent was not required.

Clinical Trial Registration

This research does not involve any clinical trials.

Permission to reproduce material from other sources

Not Applicable

Author Contributions

  • Khagga bhavyasri: Funding Acquisition, Visualization, Supervision, resources, Project Administration.
  • Thandra Ambika: Methodology, Writing- Original Draft.
  • Mogilli Sumakanth: Funding Acquisition.
  • Dhilli Rao Gorja: Supervision.

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Abbreviations List

Dabigatran etexilate mesylate (DAB),

Ultra violet visible (UV) spectroscopy,

Hydrochloric acid (HCl),

Standard Deviation Relative (RSD),

Quality control (QC),

Limit of Quantification (LOQ),

Limit of Detection (LOD).

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